Neel Kashkari, the former Treasury Department official who headed up the federal bailout program known as TARP, has lined up a campaign manager for his likely run for governor of California, Republicans familiar with Kashkari’s plans told POLITICO.

Kashkari has hired Pat Melton, a veteran of multiple successful congressional campaigns, as an adviser as he prepares a possible run for office. Melton managed Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr’s winning 2012 race and helped steer Louisiana Rep. Vance McAllister to an upset win in a special election last month.

Two Republicans said that Melton is expected to manage Kashkari’s gubernatorial bid. Kashkari adviser Aaron McLear confirmed only that Melton is working with Kashkari at a senior level.

“Neel has hired Pat to advise him on a potential run for office. If Neel decides to run, Pat will have a leadership role in that effort,” McLear wrote in an email.

Kashkari, who left his job at the investment firm PIMCO earlier this year, has been exploring a statewide campaign for months. POLITICO reported in November that he had begun to build a team of consultants for an anticipated challenge to Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown.

Brown is expected to seek reelection in 2014, though he has not yet formally announced his decision. Recent polling shows he would start the race with a wide lead over Kashkari and two other Republican challengers, former Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado and Tim Donnelly, a member of the state legislature.